Happy (Belated) Birthday, Tony Stark!

9.

"No," she scolds. "Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"The self deprecation you always do. Someone you love gets hurt or is in pain and then you spiral." Tony stares at her, blinking a few times. "I've known you long enough too, darling," she teases. He snorts. "I love you."

"I love you too. Which is why—" Tony stands from the chair once more and makes his way over to the hospital bag on the other side of them room. Loki's brow furrows. He returns to her side with a long black rectangular box in his hand. Loki stares at the box as he hands it over to her. "—I got you this."

"What's this?"

He nudges his head in the direction of the box. Loki carefully sits up (with a little help from Tony) and lifts the lid. Sitting inside the box is a diamond necklace. Something similar to a necklace Loki found around Christmas time last year but decided too late if she'd actually wanted it or not. And then, of course, the jeweler decided not to make more of that style this year so Tony couldn't buy it for her for Christmas. Not that she's complaining about what she got for Christmas--the 'at-home' crown as he's calling it is beautiful--but if he had this, why wasn't a Christmas present like she had wanted?

"You're not the only one who's read up on things, Snowflake." She stares at him, her eyes narrowed just enough. "J told me that sometimes the fathers give their wives gifts after the kid is born as a way to thank them for everything they've done the past nine months. And I wanted to give you something to show my appreciation. After all, you've gone through all of this just to give me a birthday present." 

She smiles warmly and grabs his hand. "My dearest Anthony, you don't have to thank me." Tony matches her smile. "But I'm taking the necklace anyway." He laughs and looks to the floor. "It's beautiful."

"Well, I do have excellent taste." Loki blushes. "Do you want me to put it on you?" She shakes her head. 

"Not until she's here. I don't want it to get all disgusting from sweat." Tony brushes his fingers through her hair before kissing her forehead again. "However, I do wish she'd get here sooner." Tony glances to Loki's stomach. "Or if she picked a more reasonable time to start all of this. It would be lovely if the team was here. I think I'd feel a lot better knowing we weren't alone."

"I could call them." Loki watches him. Tony glances to the small clock hanging above the door. By now it's half past eight. A perfectly reasonable time considering the three soldiers, the two master spies, and two (well, three, but he's already included in the count) former HYDRA experiments in the family. "It's almost nine. I'm sure most of them are up already."

"Thor's not," she admits sadly. 

"Oh, he will be. JARVIS, call the team. Tell them it's baby time." Loki laughs. Tony squeezes her hand before setting the diamond necklace aside for later. "And make sure Mom's notified."

"Will do, Sir."

~~~

It isn't until noon the next day that Anna-Maria is finally born. Ten fingers, ten toes, a cry similar to a banshee's, all beautiful. She'd been blue for a good five minutes before they passed her back to Loki and Tony; being back in familiar arms calmed her enough for her skin to settle (much to Loki's amusement). 

When they allow the Avengers into the room to see the baby, Tony's maneuvered himself onto the bed alongside Loki. There's actually plenty of room without all the monitors suffocating her.  He's holding Anna-Maria who's bundled up in a soft pink blanket one of the nurses gave them. Loki's head is resting on Tony's shoulder, her eyes practically closed. Tony's paying so much attention to his daughter that he doesn't even notice when they come in at first. It isn't until Steve clears his throat that the new parents turn their attention on them. 

"Hello everyone," Loki greets softly before yawning. "May we help you?" 

Tony laughs. "Now, c'mon, Lokes. We all know why they're here." He adjusts his hold on Anna-Maria before pushing the blanket away from her face so he can properly present her to the family. "Meet our newest addition: Princess Anna-Maria Stark." Frigga breaks free from the crowd and makes her way over to Loki and Tony. Tony smiles warmly at her before carefully passing Anna-Maria over to her. Frigga starts bouncing with her, whispering things in Asgardian to her. Loki smiles at Tony's side. Apparently whatever's being said is funny. "Ten fingers, ten toes. A little blue. And definitely loud. But that I believe she gets from both of us." A few of the Avengers chuckle. Steve breaks away as well and stands a considerable distance away from Frigga, peering down at the baby. "Looks like Capsicle's found his latest obsession," Tony whispers. Loki rolls her eyes. 

"Don't make it weird, Anthony," she scolds under her breath. "He's just fascinated with her."

"Can I hold her next?" Wanda asks.

"No! I wanted to hold her!" Thor cries. 

"She's my sister! I should get to hold her!" Peter defends. 

"I think Steve's started the line already," Bucky quips. 

Tony looks over at Loki, an eyebrow raised. She simply smiles and shakes her head. He shakes his, a goofy smile forming on his face. Who knew Earth's Mightiest Heroes would be fighting over who gets to hold the baby next. 

"How about her godparents fight it out to see who gets to hold her next?" Loki suggests. All eyes fall on her. "It's been a long journey to get here. And you've all helped us so much throughout the past nine months. It's been difficult deciding on who gets to be her godparents--because she definitely needs them considering our occupation--" A few people chuckle at her joke. She smiles. "--so Anthony and I decided on having two sets of godparents." A few gasps sound throughout the room. "It's no secret that superhero-ing is a dangerous business. We can all be gone tomorrow if another mad titan decides they want to mess with us--"

"Lokes, why don't we skip over all the sad parts? It's our daughter's birthday. It should be a joyous occasion."

She nods. "Tony picked Bruce and Pepper as one set of godparents and I picked Steve and Wanda as the other." Steve, Bruce, and Wanda (Pepper is unfortunately away on a business trip; they promised to call her later today) stare at the two of them, slack-jawed. 

"Us?" Bruce squeaks.

"Really?" Steve asks.

"You trust me with the baby?" Wanda whispers. 

"Yes, yes, and yes," Tony responds. "We know we can trust the three of you to take care of her in case something bad were to happen to us." They smile and say their thanks before Steve and Wanda begin verbally fighting over who gets to hold the baby next. Tony laughs and shakes his head before resting it against Loki's who's still leaning on his shoulder. "You did good, sweetheart. She's beautiful."

"Because she's ours." Tony laughs but doesn't argue. Loki snuggles up into Tony's side. He wraps an arm around her to hold her closer. "Happy belated birthday, my dear," Loki whispers before her eyes finally close and her breathing evens out. Tony kisses her forehead before turning his attention to the rest of the team. Peter somehow managed to take Anna-Maria away from Frigga while Steve and Wanda were arguing and is rocking her (or hiding her) over in the corner. He smiles warmly.  

His family.